The enduring film still strikes deep into the heart and mind, even as time goes by.

Published Nov 22, 2017 at 9:34 AM

Receive the latest entertainment-news updates in your inbox

Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in a scene from the classic film "Casablanca."

"Citizen Kane" and "Vertigo," both psychologically propelled movie classics, regularly battle for the top ranking in the dubious greatest-movie-lists genre.

But perhaps the most enduring film of all strips away any Freudian sheen, and shines as an undisputed No. 1 in the romance and screenplay categories.

"Casablanca," which turns 75 Nov. 26, still works directly on the heart and mind, even as time goes by.

The story of star-crossed lovers Rick and Ilsa's unplanned reunion in Vichy-controlled Morocco premiered just under year after Pearl Harbor. "Casablanca" offered movie audiences both escape and a potent reminder of the world turmoil through two characters brought to life in stark, glorious black and white, via Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman.

‘Tonight’: Jimmy Fallon and Lin-Manuel Miranda Sing Holiday Parodies

Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jimmy Fallon sing a medley of popular songs from 2018, like Migos' "Stir Fry," Ariana Grande's "No Tears Left to Cry" and Cardi B's "I Like It," and change the lyrics to make them about the holiday season.

(Published Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018)

But the true stars were the words penned by Howard Koch and brothers Julius J. and Philip G. Epstein, whose prose proved as memorable as images of Rick and Ilsa's foggy farewell.

"Casablanca" is the most quotable movie of all time, from "Round up the usual suspects" to “Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine” to "Here's looking at you, kid."

The film’s most crucial line is delivered to Ilsa by Rick: “It doesn't take much to see that the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world. Someday you'll understand that.”

Unlike “Citizen Kane” (1941) and “Vertigo” (1958), “Casablanca” doesn’t focus on the individual as much as on the shared sacrifice of love for a larger cause. That’s the most romantic movie notion of all.

Sometimes, all you’re left to cling to amid uncertainty are memories. Rick and Ilsa, at least, would always have Paris. The rest of us, luckily, will always have "Casablanca."